CompTIA
Checkpoint
ISC
HP
Dell
EC-Council
EXIN
Fortinet
ITIL®
Juniper
PMI
Microsoft
VMware
Avaya
Google
Salesforce
Amazon
Palo Alto Networks
Certiport
ISC2
All Vendors
  2. Home
  3. Exams
  4. CFA®
  5. CFA-Level-III

Free CFA-Level-III Exam Braindumps (page: 15)

Page 14 of 91
PDF with 472 Questions

John Green, CFA, is a sell-side technology analyst at Federal Securities, a large global investment banking and advisory firm. In many of his recent conversations with executives at the firms he researches, Green has heard disturbing news. Most of these firms are lowering sales estimates for the coming year. However, the stock prices have been stable despite management's widely disseminated sales warnings. Green is preparing his quarterly industry analysis and decides to seek further input. He calls Alan Volk, CFA, a close friend who runs the Initial Public Offering section of the investment banking department of Federal Securities.

Volk tells Green he has seen no slowing of demand for technology IPOs. "We've got three new issues due out next week, and two of them are well oversubscribed." Green knows that Volk's department handled over 200 IPOs last year, so he is confident that Volk's opinion is reliable. Green prepares his industry report, which is favorable. Among other conclusions, the report states that "the future is still bright, based on the fact that 67% of technology IPOs are oversubscribed." Privately, Green recommends to Federal portfolio managers that they begin selling all existing technology issues, which have "stagnated," and buy the IPOs in their place.
After carefully evaluating Federal's largest institutional client's portfolio, Green contacts the client and recommends selling all of his existing technology stocks and buying two of the upcoming IPOs, similar to the recommendation given to Federal's portfolio managers. Green's research has allowed him to conclude that only these two IPOs would be appropriate for this particular client's portfolio. Investing in these IPOs and selling the current technology holdings would, according to Green, "double the returns that your portfolio experienced last year."

Federal Securities has recently hired Dirks Bentley, a CFA candidate who has passed Level 2 and is currently preparing to take the Level 3 CFA® exam, to reorganize Federal's compliance department. Bentley tells Green that he may be subject to CFA Institute sanctions due to inappropriate contact between analysts and investment bankers within Federal Securities. Bentley has recommended that Green implement a firewall to rectify the situation and has outlined the key characteristics for such a system. Bentley's suggestions are as follows:
1. Any communication between the departments of Federal Securities must be channeled through the compliance department for review and eventual delivery. The firm must create and maintain watch, restricted, and rumor lists to be used in the review of employee trading.
2. All beneficial ownership, whether direct or indirect, of recommended securities must be disclosed in writing.
3. The firm must increase the level of review or restriction of proprietary trading activities during periods in which the firm has knowledge of information that is both material and nonpublic.
Bentley has identified two of Green's analysts, neither of whom have non-compete contracts, who are preparing to leave Federal Securities and go into competition. The first employee, James Ybarra, CFA, has agreed to take a position with one of Federal's direct competitors. Ybarra has contacted existing Federal clients using a client list he created with public records. None of the contacted clients have agreed to move their accounts as Ybarra has requested. The second employee, Martha Cliff, CFA, has registered the name Cliff Investment Consulting (CIC), which she plans to use for her independent consulting business. For the new business venture, Cliff has developed and professionally printed marketing literature that compares the new firm's services to that of Federal Securities and highlights the significant cost savings that will be realized by switching to CIC. After she leaves Federal, Cliff plans to target many of the same prospects that Federal Securities is targeting, using an address list she purchased from a third-party vendor. Bentley decides to call a meeting with Green to discuss his findings.
After discussing the departing analysts. Green asks Bentley how to best handle the disclosure of the following items: (1) although not currently a board member. Green has served in the past on the board of directors of a company he researches and expects that he will do so again in the near future; and (2) Green recently inherited put options on a company for which he has an outstanding buy recommendation. Bentley is contemplating his response to Green.
With respect to their plans to go into competition with Federal Securities, have Ybarra or Cliff violated any CFA Institute Standards of Professional Conduct?

  1. Both Ybarra and Cliff have violated CFA Institute Standards.
  2. Neither has violated CFA Institute Standards.
  3. Ybarra has violated CFA Institute Standards, while Cliff has not.

Answer(s): A

Explanation:

Standard IV(A) Loyalty governs Ybarra s and Cliffs actions in this case. Neither Ybarra nor Cliff have non- compete agreements and are therefore not precluded from preparing to go into competition with Federal Securities while still employed by the firm. In making such preparations, however, members and candidates must not breach their duty of loyalty to their current employer. Ybarra has breached his duty by contacting Federal Securities' existing clients to solicit their business. Thus, he is in violation of Standard IV(A). Cliff has not violated the Standard. She is allowed to make preparations to compete before leaving Federal Securities and has not done anything to interfere with Federals operations. She is allowed to market her services to Federal clients as long as she does not do so before leaving the company and does not use Federal's client lists or other resources to do so. Cliff has purchased the client list on her own and is not planning to market to Federal clients until after she resigns from the firm. (Study Session 1, LOS 2.a)



John Green, CFA, is a sell-side technology analyst at Federal Securities, a large global investment banking and advisory firm. In many of his recent conversations with executives at the firms he researches, Green has heard disturbing news. Most of these firms are lowering sales estimates for the coming year. However, the stock prices have been stable despite management's widely disseminated sales warnings. Green is preparing his quarterly industry analysis and decides to seek further input. He calls Alan Volk, CFA, a close friend who runs the Initial Public Offering section of the investment banking department of Federal Securities.
Volk tells Green he has seen no slowing of demand for technology IPOs. "We've got three new issues due out next week, and two of them are well oversubscribed." Green knows that Volk's department handled over 200 IPOs last year, so he is confident that Volk's opinion is reliable. Green prepares his industry report, which is favorable. Among other conclusions, the report states that "the future is still bright, based on the fact that 67% of technology IPOs are oversubscribed." Privately, Green recommends to Federal portfolio managers that they begin selling all existing technology issues, which have "stagnated," and buy the IPOs in their place.
After carefully evaluating Federal's largest institutional client's portfolio, Green contacts the client and recommends selling all of his existing technology stocks and buying two of the upcoming IPOs, similar to the recommendation given to Federal's portfolio managers. Green's research has allowed him to conclude that only these two IPOs would be appropriate for this particular client's portfolio. Investing in these IPOs and selling the current technology holdings would, according to Green, "double the returns that your portfolio experienced last year."
Federal Securities has recently hired Dirks Bentley, a CFA candidate who has passed Level 2 and is currently preparing to take the Level 3 CFA® exam, to reorganize Federal's compliance department. Bentley tells Green that he may be subject to CFA Institute sanctions due to inappropriate contact between analysts and investment bankers within Federal Securities. Bentley has recommended that Green implement a firewall to rectify the situation and has outlined the key characteristics for such a system. Bentley's suggestions are as follows:
1. Any communication between the departments of Federal Securities must be channeled through the compliance department for review and eventual delivery. The firm must create and maintain watch, restricted, and rumor lists to be used in the review of employee trading.
2. All beneficial ownership, whether direct or indirect, of recommended securities must be disclosed in writing.
3. The firm must increase the level of review or restriction of proprietary trading activities during periods in which the firm has knowledge of information that is both material and nonpublic.
Bentley has identified two of Green's analysts, neither of whom have non-compete contracts, who are preparing to leave Federal Securities and go into competition. The first employee, James Ybarra, CFA, has agreed to take a position with one of Federal's direct competitors. Ybarra has contacted existing Federal clients using a client list he created with public records. None of the contacted clients have agreed to move their accounts as Ybarra has requested. The second employee, Martha Cliff, CFA, has registered the name Cliff Investment Consulting (CIC), which she plans to use for her independent consulting business. For the new business venture, Cliff has developed and professionally printed marketing literature that compares the new firm's services to that of Federal Securities and highlights the significant cost savings that will be realized by switching to CIC. After she leaves Federal, Cliff plans to target many of the same prospects that Federal Securities is targeting, using an address list she purchased from a third-party vendor. Bentley decides to call a meeting with Green to discuss his findings.
After discussing the departing analysts. Green asks Bentley how to best handle the disclosure of the following items: (1) although not currently a board member. Green has served in the past on the board of directors of a company he researches and expects that he will do so again in the near future; and (2) Green recently inherited put options on a company for which he has an outstanding buy recommendation. Bentley is contemplating his response to Green.
Assess whether, in light of CFA Institute Standards of Professional Conduct, Bentley's disclosure recommendations are correct or incorrect with respect to the two items noted by Green. How should Bently respond to Green regarding disclosure requirements on Item I -- Green's prior Board participation, and Item 2 - Green's inherited put options?

  1. Green's Board position issue need not be disclosed, but the inherited put options must be disclosed to Green's employer, clients and prospects.
  2. Both of Green's items must be fully disclosed to his employer, clients and prospects.
  3. Since Green is not a current Board member, no disclosure is needed and the put options need not be disclosed, since the buy recommendation has already been completed and is in place.

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

According to Standard VI(A) Disclosure of Conflicts, members and candidates must make full and fair disclosure of any and all matters that interfere with their independence and objectivity. Greens board membership has the potential to influence his research recommendations. Even though he currently does not sit on the board, he expects to return to board membership in the near future. Clients, prospects, and his employer would all need to be notified of such information to assess the level of objectivity in Greens reports on the company in question. Greens inheritance of the put options on a company he covers also presents a situation in which his objectivity may be compromised. Even though it may be remote, the incentive to be pessimistic about the subject company exists since Green would like to benefit from the increase in the value of the put options. He must disclose this conflict to clients, prospects, and his employer as well. Generally, an/ conflict that may impair a members or candidates independence and objectivity will need to be disclosed to clients, prospects, and the employer. (Study Session I, LOS 2.a)



Robert Keith, CFA, has begun a new job at CMT Investments as Head of Compliance. Keith has just completed a review of all of CMT's operations, and has interviewed all the firm's portfolio managers. Many are CFA charterholders, but some are not. Keith intends to use the CFA Institute Code and Standards, as well as the Asset Manager Code of Professional Conduct, as ethical guidelines for CMT to follow.

In the course of Keith's review of the firm's overall practices, he has noted a few situations which potentially need to be addressed.
Situation 1:
CMT Investments' policy regarding acceptance of gifts and entertainment is not entirely clear. There is general confusion within the firm regarding what is and is not acceptable practice regarding gifts, entertainment and additional compensation.
Situation 2:
Keith sees inconsistency regarding fee disclosures to clients. In some cases, information related to fees paid to investment managers for investment services provided are properly disclosed. However, a few of the periodic costs, which will affect investment return, are not disclosed to the clients. Most managers are providing clients with investment returns net of fees, but a few are just providing the gross returns. One of the managers stated "providing gross returns is acceptable, as long as I show the fees such that the client can make their own simple calculation of the returns net of fees."
Situation 3:
Keith has noticed a few gaps in CMT's procedure regarding use of soft dollars. There have been cases where "directed brokerage" has resulted in less than prompt execution of trades. He also found a few cases where a manager paid a higher commission than normal, in order to obtain goods or services. Keith is considering adding two statements to CMT's policy and procedures manual specifically addressing the primary issues he noted.

Statement 1:
"Commissions paid, and any corresponding benefits received, are the property of the client. The benefit(s) must directly benefit the client. If a manager's client directs the manager to purchase goods or services that do not provide research services that benefit the client, this violates the duty of loyalty to the client.”

Statement 2:
"In cases of "directed brokerage," if there is concern that the client is not receiving the best execution, it is acceptable to utilize a less than ideal broker, but it must be disclosed to the client that they may not be obtaining the best execution."

Situation 4:
Keith is still evaluating his data, but it appears that there may be situations where proxies were not voted. After completing his analysis of proxy voting procedures at CMT, Keith wants to insert the proper language into the procedures manual to address proxy voting.
Situation 5:
Keith is putting into place a "disaster recovery- plan," in order to ensure business continuity in the event of a localized disaster, and also to protect against any type of disruption in the financial markets. This plan includes the following provisions:

• Procedures for communicating with clients, especially in the event of extended disruption of services provided.
• Alternate arrangement for monitoring and analyzing investments in the event that primary systems become unavailable.
• Plans for internal communication and coverage of crucial business functions in the event of disruption at the primary place of business, or a communications breakdown.
Keith is considering adding the following provisions to the disaster recovery plan in order to properly comply with the CFA Institute Asset Manager Code of Professional Conduct:

Provision 1: "A provision needs to be added incorporating off-site backup for all pertinent account information." Provision 2: "A provision mandating testing of the plan on a company-wide basis, at periodical intervals, should be added."

Situation 6:
Keith is spending an incredible amount of time on detailed procedures and company policies that are in compliance with the CFA Institute Code and Standards, and also in compliance with the CFA Institute Asset Manager Code of Professional Conduct. As part of this process, he has had several meetings with CMT senior management, and is second-guessing the process. One of the senior managers is indicating that it might be a better idea to just formally adopt both the Code and Standards and the Asset Manager Code of Conduct, which would make a detailed policy and procedure manual redundant.

Which of the following statements most accurately describes the obligations of investment managers related to disclosure of fees under the CFA Institute Asset Manager Code of Professional Conduct?

  1. A general statement concerning certain fees and costs is acceptable, as long as the majority of the fees paid to the firm are disclosed to the client. Both gross- and net-of-fees returns must be disclosed.
  2. All fees must be disclosed to the client, including any periodic account costs. Both gross- and net-of-fees returns must be disclosed.
  3. All fees, including periodic costs, must be reported to the client. Either gross- or net-of-fees results are acceptable, as long as the client can make the simple "net" calculation from the information provided.

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

General statements regarding fees and costs are not enough. Disclosures of all fees and costs must be made. Also, in accordance with the "Disclosures" section of the Asset Manager Code of Professional Conduct, managers must provide returns gross- and net-of-fees. In addition, managers must show an itemization of charges if requested by the client. (Study Session 2, LOS 6.b)



Robert Keith, CFA, has begun a new job at CMT Investments as Head of Compliance. Keith has just completed a review of all of CMT's operations, and has interviewed all the firm's portfolio managers. Many are CFA charterholders, but some are not. Keith intends to use the CFA Institute Code and Standards, as well as the Asset Manager Code of Professional Conduct, as ethical guidelines for CMT to follow.

In the course of Keith's review of the firm's overall practices, he has noted a few situations which potentially need to be addressed.

Situation 1:
CMT Investments' policy regarding acceptance of gifts and entertainment is not entirely clear. There is general confusion within the firm regarding what is and is not acceptable practice regarding gifts, entertainment and additional compensation.

Situation 2:
Keith sees inconsistency regarding fee disclosures to clients. In some cases, information related to fees paid to investment managers for investment services provided are properly disclosed. However, a few of the periodic costs, which will affect investment return, are not disclosed to the clients. Most managers are providing clients with investment returns net of fees, but a few are just providing the gross returns. One of the managers stated "providing gross returns is acceptable, as long as I show the fees such that the client can make their own simple calculation of the returns net of fees."

Situation 3:
Keith has noticed a few gaps in CMT's procedure regarding use of soft dollars. There have been cases where "directed brokerage" has resulted in less than prompt execution of trades. He also found a few cases where a manager paid a higher commission than normal, in order to obtain goods or services. Keith is considering adding two statements to CMT's policy and procedures manual specifically addressing the primary issues he noted.

Statement 1:
"Commissions paid, and any corresponding benefits received, are the property of the client. The benefit(s) must directly benefit the client. If a manager's client directs the manager to purchase goods or services that do not provide research services that benefit the client, this violates the duty of loyalty to the client.”

Statement 2:
"In cases of "directed brokerage," if there is concern that the client is not receiving the best execution, it is acceptable to utilize a less than ideal broker, but it must be disclosed to the client that they may not be obtaining the best execution."

Situation 4:
Keith is still evaluating his data, but it appears that there may be situations where proxies were not voted. After completing his analysis of proxy voting procedures at CMT, Keith wants to insert the proper language into the procedures manual to address proxy voting.

Situation 5:
Keith is putting into place a "disaster recovery- plan," in order to ensure business continuity in the event of a localized disaster, and also to protect against any type of disruption in the financial markets. This plan includes the following provisions:
• Procedures for communicating with clients, especially in the event of extended disruption of services provided.
• Alternate arrangement for monitoring and analyzing investments in the event that primary systems become unavailable.
• Plans for internal communication and coverage of crucial business functions in the event of disruption at the primary place of business, or a communications breakdown.
Keith is considering adding the following provisions to the disaster recovery plan in order to properly comply with the CFA Institute Asset Manager Code of Professional Conduct:

Provision 1: "A provision needs to be added incorporating off-site backup for all pertinent account information." Provision 2: "A provision mandating testing of the plan on a company-wide basis, at periodical intervals, should be added."

Situation 6:
Keith is spending an incredible amount of time on detailed procedures and company policies that are in compliance with the CFA Institute Code and Standards, and also in compliance with the CFA Institute Asset Manager Code of Professional Conduct. As part of this process, he has had several meetings with CMT senior management, and is second-guessing the process. One of the senior managers is indicating that it might be a better idea to just formally adopt both the Code and Standards and the Asset Manager Code of Conduct, which would make a detailed policy and procedure manual redundant.

Indicate whether Keith's statements in Situation 3 involving soft dollars / client brokerage are correct or incorrect.

  1. Statements 1 and 2 are both correct.
  2. Only Statement 1 is correct.
  3. Only Statement 2 is correct.

Answer(s): C

Explanation:

In the case of "directed brokerage", the client is in charge. In Statement 1, since the client is directing the manager to purchase the goods or services, the practice docs not violate any loyalty duty. Thus Statement 1 is incorrect. In the case of Statement 2, there may be situations in which clients may recommend brokers who do not provide the best service or execution. There is not much the manager can do in these cases, but the manager is obligated to at least inform the client that they may not be receiving the best execution. Statement 2 is correct. (Study Session 2, LOS 6.b)






Post your Comments and Discuss CFA® CFA-Level-III exam with other Community members:

CFA-Level-III Exam Discussions & Posts